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Salute to Veterans presented by Occidental Petroleum to take place this Monday

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Press Release |

The Astros Salute to Veterans Presented by Occidental Petroleum, taking place this Monday, November 11 at Minute Maid Park, is a FREE event open to the public honoring our nation’s military and veterans, with a special thanks to those who served in World War II, and is hosted by the Houston Astros and Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Gates to the event open and concessions will be available at 11:00 a.m., with musical entertainment beginning at noon. Tickets to the Astros Salute to Veterans are available for FREE at the gates on the day of the event.

The highlight of the afternoon will be the screening of the award-winning documentary Honor Flight: One Last Mission on the video board at Minute Maid Park, preceded by a 2:00 p.m. program featuring guest speakers US Senator John Cornyn, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Adjutant General of Texas John Nichols, Col. Deborah Grays from the US Army, Texas DAR State Regent Pamela Wright, World War II veteran Col. George McDowell, producer of Honor FlightClay Broga and Chairman and Owner of the Houston Astros Jim Crane.

Shortly after gates open at 11:00 a.m., attendees will be treated to special performances by country music legends Gary Morris,Tracy Byrd and others, as well as a live demonstration by the Re/Max Sky Diving Team of Texas and the Honor Your Veteran photo display on the video board, featuring photos of veterans of any era submitted by the community. The event is scheduled to end at the conclusion of the film, at approximately 4:30 p.m. There will be a security bag check for all patrons, so fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Prior to the event, the Consul General of France Sujiro Seam will honor eight United States World War II veterans with the medal of Chevalier in the French Order of the Legion of Honor in the Union Station Lobby of Minute Maid Park. Since its creation by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor has remained the highest, most prestigious, decoration in France. This order is awarded solely as a recognition of merit or bravery, open to men and women of all ranks and professions. Senator John Cornyn, Mayor Annise Parker, Brigadier General Brently White, and Colonel Robert Samborski are scheduled to attend the ceremony, along with students from the Awty International School, Waltrip High School and the HISD Jr. ROTC program from Davis High School. Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton will serve as emcee.

GUEST INFORMATION:

All tickets are free and ushers will direct guests to available seating. Wheelchair accessible seating is available. Due to limited availability, handicap accessible seating only includes one companion ticket. Early arrival is highly recommended to allow plenty of time for parking and bag check. Concession stands will be open, and attendees may bring in bottled water or food in a clear plastic bag. In addition to presenting sponsor Occidental Petroleum, supporting sponsors of the Astros Veterans Day Salute include Breitling, ARAMARK Corporation, Marathon Oil Corporation and Re/Max.

Free handicapped parking will be available in the Diamond Lot and free parking for the general public will be available in Astros-controlled lots A, B and C on a first come, first served basis.

For active-duty military who wish to sit together as a group only, please contact mwade@astros.com.

ABOUT THE FILM:

Honor Flight is an inspiring documentary about living World War II veterans and a community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime. Volunteers race against the clock to fly thousands of WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial constructed for them in 2004, nearly 60 years after their epic struggle. The trips are called “Honor Flights,” and for the veterans in their late 80’s and early 90’s, often represent the first time they have been thanked for their service, and may be the last trip of their lives. The 24-hour journey is full of deeply moving surprises. It’s uncommon for World War II veterans to talk about the War, but the Honor Flight experience helps to bring their stories out. Many veterans say, with the exception of their wedding days and the births of their children, the trip is the best day of their lives. The Honor Flights are meant to give something back to these humble heroes, but their selflessness and profound appreciation for freedom transforms everyone they meet.

ABOUT THE CAUSE:

The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that has flown over 100,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. It consists of 117 hubs across the country, including Honor Flight Houston, which was established in May 2013.